USA > Ohio > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146
By direction of the state military authorities. Capt. Rodney Foos established a military camp on the fair grounds at Wilmington early'in May. 1861, for the temporary reception of soldiers. The first company assigned to it was that of Capt. Johnson, of Fayette county, which arrived previous to the 10th of that month and began regular drilling.
From the Clinton Republican of May 10, 1861, the following interesting bit is gleaned :
"We hereby agree to contribute the sums set opposite our names to aid and support the families of those volunteers who may be disabled or fall in defending the federal government against the assaults of traitors: James Fife. $200; W. C. Fife. $100; W. Hibben. $100; C. M. Bosworth, $100; L. B. Welch, $100; T. L. Carothers, $100; Thomas Hibben, $50; R. B. Mory, $50; Samuel Smith, $50; T. R. Wraith, $50; William Preston, $50; Sammel Haines. $50; J. W. Farren, $50; Ell Hadley, $50; J. Perrell. $50; Henry Babb. $25; Mablon Wall. $25; A. T. Wall. $25; David Sanders, $25; I. R. Moody. $25; Samuel Knowlton. $25; E. Doan, $25; R. E. Doan. 825; J. M. Haworth, $25; W. B. Fisher. $25: W. Greer. $25: C. F. Truesdell, $25: William Reed. $25; E. S. Davis, $25; J. H. West, $25; R. Foos. $25; H. D. Sayers, $25; Levi Sheppard, $25: David Fife. $25; Thomas Custis, $25; James Henry, $25; H. H. Hankins, $20; C. Blazier, $50; J. F. Masters, $30; Levi Bennett, $20; William Knox. $20; John Holly, $20; E. L. Lacy, $25; R. Wickersham, $25."
During the month of May. 1861. enlistments began for the three-year service. Most of the members of the Clinton county company in the Twelfth Regiment signified their willingness to re-enlist for that period. However, it happened that a large portion of the men returned home, leaving but a small number who actually did enlist for three years. Lient. A. W. Doan was elected captain of the reorganized three-year company, whose num- bers by June 21 had swelled to ninety-three men. The company retained its original letter, and remained in the Twelfth Regiment.
During the week ending July 12, 1861. a fine company of three-year men was raised nt Wilmington with R. B. Harlan as captain; Asa Higgins, of New Vienna, first lien- tenant ; A. H. Chapman, of Wilmington. second lieutenant, and P. A. Arthur, of Now Vienna, orderly sergeant. This company, which was recruited for the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, left. on its organization, for Camp Dennison, where it received arme and equipments, and soon afterward joined the regiment in western Virginia. Capt. Robert B. Harlan, who was elected captain of the company raised for the Eleventh Regl-
Digitized by Google
105
CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
ment, stayed with his men uutil they left for Virginia, when he returned home, much to the regret of the men of the company ; but his age was against him in the chances he must take in the field. However, be afterwards rendered valuable service in Ohio ยท in the matter of raising fresh troops and performing other Iabors that fell to his lot.
The Clinton Republican for August 2. 1861, has the following notes: "The Clinton Grays of this place have applied for and obtained a place in the Groesbeck regiment, now at Camp Dennison, and will take their position there in a few days. Captain Farden's zonave company, of this place, has a position in Piatt's regiment, and will soon go to it. There is another company forming at Westboro, but whether they have a place assigned them yet or not. we do not know."
On August 9. the same paper has the following: "Captain Koogle left this place on Inst Monday with a full company for Camp Denulson, to join the Groesbeck regiment at that place. This is the second full company raised in Clinton county to serve during the war. Besides these. a portion of Captain Doun's company (B), about twenty-five in the Kentucky regiments, together with quite a number in divers other companies, were furnished by Clinton county. Nearly all of the first company of three months men have Joined the various three companies above referred to, and are now in for the war."
Capt. George Vandergrift, a former resident of Wilmington, came to that place in the latter part of August. 1561, to recruit men for the three-year service in the Second Regiment. Judge J. HI. West was at the same time authorized to receive and forward reernits for a regiment of infantry under Colonel Worthington. At this time any competent volunteer bringing thirty five men was given a lieutenant's commission. It was announced on August 30, that "Lafe" Johnson. also a previous resident of Wilmington, was recruit- ing for an artillery regiment of sixty guns, which was to be raised in Ohio. He wanted able-bodied men for his company, which was to consist of one hundred members, Persons desirous of joining were asked to report to Captains Harlan and Babb, or to James M. Haworth at Wilmington. By September 1. 1561. this county had about four hundred and ten men in the field, with other companies nearly organized and ready for departure. A company for Colonel Worthington's regiment (the Forty-seventh). commanded by Capt. David Miller, was raised in the vicinity of Reesville, and left for Columbus, September 3. However, on arrival It was assigned to the regiment commanded by Col. Moses B. Walker. Another company, raised at Westboro and vicinity, was at this time with General Rosecrans. Its officers were A. S. Bundy. captain; A. F. Denniston, first lieutenant, and C. J. Cunningham, second lieutenant. A fine company was raised in the early part of September by Capt. Frank Spencer. Farden's company of zouaves left for Camp Dennison September 6. At this same time Captains Haworth and Vandergrift were recruiting in Wilmington. On September 13. Capt. Frank Spencer's company left for Camp Dennison and was assigned to the Seventeenth Regiment : on the same day a Zouave company left Blanchester. A few days later another company, under Captain Haworth, with C. J. Ent and John Barlow for lieutenants, left for Camp Chase, near Columbus, and on its arrival it was assigned to the Fortleth Regiment. On the 20th of the same month Vandergrift sent about thirty men to the Second Ohio Regiment at Camp Dennison. James A. Farden, of Wilmington. was appointed major in the Fifty-ninth Regiment, which was being formed about this time.
SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY.
On October 4, 1861, a Soldiers' Ald Society was organized at a meeting of citizens in the court house at Wilmington. with R. B. Harlan, president : Rodney Foos, secretary, and Albert Hockett. treasurer. Their object was to "relieve the wants of the families of those that have gone into the service of our country." A board of control, consisting of A. H. Jenkins, Justus Taylor, D. 8. King. T. R. Wraith and Elisha Doan, was chosen ; a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions and was authorized to appoint a sub-
CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
committee In each school district of Union township. A depot for the reception and distribution of contributions was established at the store of T. R. Wraith.
MILITARY COMMITTEE FOR CLINTON COUNTY.
In the early part of October the congressional committee appointed a military com- mittee for Clinton county, which held a meeting on the 14th of the month and com- pleted its organization by electing R. B. Harlan, president ; Rodney Foos. secretary, and H. D. Sayres, treasurer. It adopted the following resolutions :
"Resolved, that this committee earnestly recommend to the women of this county to form circles for knitting socks and mittens, and making undergarments for the volun- teers now in and soon to go Into service, and report from time to time the results of their labors.
"Resolved, that the committee use such means as they can command to procure blankets and other clothing that may be needful for our volunteers."
On Monday evening. May 26, 1862, the receipt of a telegram from Governor Tod asking for one hundred more men from the county to Join the forces which were to be sent to Washington, which was in imminent danger, caused a great furor of excitement. The recruiting in response to this call did not progress very rapidly. while Fayette county forwarded her quota of men the morning following the receipt of the call. On July 3. Governor Tod again issued a call for more men from Ohio In response to a call from the President.
WARP AND WOOF.
Rev. S. A. Brewster, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Wilmington, was commissioned chaplain of the Fortieth Ohio Regiment, then at Camp Chase, and was released by the offiebil members of his charge.
In Derember. 1561, a company raised In Richland township and commanded by Capt. William Reed, left that township to join the Seventy-fourth Regiment.
Lientenant-colonel Parker, of the Forty-eighth Ohlo. encamped near Wilmington in the latter part of December. for the purpose of raising recruits from that vicinity,
In February, 1562. there were two recruiting offices in Wilmington. Capt. J. J. Ennis was recruiting for the Fifty-second Regiment and enlisted about thirty men from Wil- ington and Clarksville, who joined Company A. at Camp Dennison, on March 3. In February. W. P. Reid. editor of the Wilmington Watchman, was commissioned lientenant and became a recruiting officer. W. S. Foos meantime editing the paper.
The ladies of Wilmington organized an aid society in the fall of 1861 and In March, 1862. Mrs. Rhoda C. Morris was president and Mrs. Caroline E. Harlan, vice-president. In March. 1562. they sent out a large box of clothing, blankets and delicacies by Lieuten- ant Ent to his company in the Fortieth Regiment.
About the same time there was a "School-girls' Soldiers' Aid Society," which was very industriously engaged in collecting articles and sending them to the front. Lizzle Work was president of this society, with Louisa Strickle, vice-president, Angie Outealt. secretary, and Millle Hibben, treasurer. Other societies in existence about this time that were doing self-imposed missions in a noble manner were the "Ladies' Dime Circle" and a "Ladies' Soldiers' Relief Society."
On February 12, 1962. three trains from Zanesville, loaded with troops on their way to Kentucky, passed through Wilmington.
In July. 1562, many Clinton county men were sent with many others to Kentucky for a three months' campaign against the Confederate General Morgan, who had. by n threatened raid, frightened the people of Cincinnati and southwestern Ohio.
Governor Tod. In July. 1562, made the appointments for a new Ohio regiment-the Seventy-ninth -- of which three companies were to be raised in Clinton county. The appointments were. R. B. Hayes, colonel ; R. B. Harlan, lieutenant colonel : Rodney Foos.
Digitized by Google
107
CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
adjutant. Colonel Hayes beenme the colonel of another regiment and Lieutenant-colonel Harlan never took the field. Company officers were appointed as follows: First company -I. B. Allen, of Wilmington, captain: John A. Smith, of Wilmington. first lieutenant ; H. S. Donn, of Wilmington, second lieutenant. Second company-J. C. Moon, of Wilming- ton. captain : John Harrison, of New Vienna. first lieutenant ; Bryant Robison, second Houtenant. Third company-G. B. Hicks, of Clarksville, captain ; A. H. Botkin, of Port William, first lieutenant ; John Reese, of Reesville, second Hentenant, Recruiting was begun at once and volunteers came in rapidly. The officers of the second company were Inter changed to Ethan Allen Spencer, of Wiison township, captain; Daniel Griffin, of Richland township. first lieutenant ; John Harrison, of Green township, second Heutenant.
In the third week of August. 1862, the Wilmington papers reported that nearly every train west for ten days had taken out volunteers from Clinton county.
THE FIRST DRAFT.
In the latter part of August, 1562. Governor Tod appointed R. E. Doan. commissioner to superintendent the draft In this county, with Jentha Perrill as provost marshal, Dr. J. Walker, of Wilmington, as examining surgeon, and Marion Wilkerson, of Clarksville, assistant surgeon. Subsequently. Sephen Evans was appointed draft commissioner, and September 16 set as the day on which the draft should be made, with the following apportionment : Union township, 63: Vernon, 17: Green. 41: Wayne. 17: Washington, 12; Liberty. 17: Adams, 6; Richland, 27; Wilson, 23; Marion. 25; Jefferson. 20: Chester, 37; Clark. 23; total, 330. The draft was postponed until October 1. when the following persons were drawn :
Adams township-Nathan Newly, John T. Ward. Joseph Pennington, Henry M. Reese. Samuel Hutchinson, Archibald Jobe, and Josiah Anderson -- 7.
Wilson township-George Gray-1.
Wayne township -- John M. C. Wilson. David Rollison, EHl Mathew. John Hoblett, Edmund West, Henry F. Johnson. James M. Syfferd. Joseph Sweetman. Daniel Dragoo. John Q. Adams. Jr., John Savage, John Butterfield. Henry L. Lotterell, Isaac Runnells and Ryden Van Pelt-15.
Washington township-James Skimmings. Armonia M. Hate. George King. Elijah G. Ford and William H. Florea --- 5.
Marion township-Thomas T. Sever, Jacob Burroughs and Milton A. Craft-3.
Liberty township Joshua Pilcher. Allen Beal. Stephen Shafer. John A. Bent. Will- Inm Almond. James Barton, Joseph Antram. Ira Scott, Thomas Linkhart, William S. Hoblett. Asa Oliphant. Calvin HI. Antram, John Rankin and John Cline-14.
Green township -- Washington Spears, Salathiel Harris, John W. Beam. Valentine Cox, Joel Sanderson, Michael Swingley, John R. Holmes and George W. Mory -. 8.
Chester township-Lawson M. Lafetra, Robert Reeves, Washington Nagles, Nathan MeKay. Amos Mills, William Q. Hurton. Richard Williams, Jeremiah Jeffries, Samuel P. Balley. James Austin, Emory H. MeMillan. Philip Mills, Edward Evans, John Menden- hall. James Jay. Amos Hnines, William H. Ferguson, Joshua Lucas, James Mannon. Willlam Lister, Robert Carr, Clarkson McMillan and Nathan Kirk-23.
I'nion township-Michael O'Donnel, William J. Ronch, William Wonds. Frederick Wieman, Thomas W. Gaskill. Elf Thompson. Alfred C. Antram, Jesse H. Stout, James C. Boyd, George L. Fallis, Jesse Woods, Jacob Thompson, John Davis, William Smith. John M. Kirk, John Mussetter, Alfred WHson. John Conway, James Wilson. James Thompson. Nathan Starbuck and William Welch-22.
Many of the above seenred substitutes, to whom they paid from three to Ave hun- dred dollars each. The drafted men left for Camp Dennison October 6, 1562.
108
CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
CINCINNATI THREATENED.
On September 3. 1862, rumors arrived over the telegraph that Cincinnati was in imminent danger of attack by a large force of Confederate troops approaching through Kentucky. The alarm spread rapidly and the week ending September 11 saw Wilmington and the entire county in great excitement. A meeting was called, to be held in the court house. The bells were rung. Posters were printed and widely circulated, calling on the citizens of the county to assemble at Wilmington the following day, bringing with them all kinds of available fire-arms for the purposes of organizing volunteer companies to be rushed to the defense of Cincinnati, Runners were sent over the county and the news- papers issued calls to arms. On the morning of the next day an immense gathering of people assembled at Wilmington, the men armed with squirrel rifles, shot guns, muskets. ete. The boys were just as eager as their elders to do their share and asked to be enrolled. A call for volunteers was issued and in the forenoon four hundred and five men stepped forward. A special train was offered by the railroad company and at six o'clock, having been organized into companies about an hour before, they left for Cincin- nati. They were officered as follows: First company-Jobn Q. Smith. captain; Leroy Pope, first lieutenant ; John A. Smith, second lieutenant. Second company -- David Brown. captain : Elon B. Ward. Arst lieutenant : John W. Custis, second lieutenant. Third com- pany-Mahlon Wall, captain; William C. Wilson, first lieutenant : Samuel Rulon, second lieutenant. Fourth company-A. E. Steele, captain; Christopher Ronemus. first lieu- tenant : M. P. Early. second Hentenant. These companies were all formed at Wilming- ton. A fifth, raised at Blanchester, had as its officers, John K. Trickey. enptain: Joseph Kelsey, first lieutenant. They all proceeded to Cincinnati, where they were formed into a battalion. On arrival there they were sent to a position a few miles south of the city in Kentucky; but. after a few days, they were sent home, the Rebels failing to put in their appearance. These volunteers became known to history as the "squirrel hunters."
In Mny, 1863, eighteen of the colored citizens of the city of Wilmington ( Erasmus Bennett, John Joels. James A. Rlekman, Davis Adams, Nathaniel Stewart. O. S. High- tower. Levi Green, William Barber. William H. Thomas, Joseph Mace. A. Thomas, Jordan Robinson. Albert T. Felter. Seth C. Felter, Samuel HIII, Richard Jones, Simon Ratcliffe and Charles Chatman) volunteered in a Massachusetts colored regiment under a recruiting officer who arrived in Wilmington on the evening of May 15.
THE SECOND DRAFT.
In the summer of 1963, a new militia law in Ohio required that every able-bodied man in the state between the ages of eighteen and forty-five should either enroll himself in a militia company or pay a certain sum of money. Five years' service rendered each man exempt from further duty under the Inw. In June of that year, after a call from the President, it became necessary to raise men in Ohio to service six months, and three companies were to come from Clinton county. The townships were formed Into military districts, and in Clinton county the following company officers were elected :
I'nion township. first district --- Morris Harlan, captain; Lewis C. Walker, first lienten- ant : John Rutherford, second lieutenant. Second district-William Frazer, captain; B. Leonard, first lieutenant : William H. Reed, second lieutenant. Third district-Henry 8. Doan, captain; John K. Spencer. first lieutenant : Joseph Doan, second Heutenant. Fourth district-R. H. Smith, captain; C. W. Doan, first lieutenant ; S. Jones, second Heutenant. Fifth district-John M. I'nderwood, captain ; Lewis Boots, first lieutenant ; William E. Parker, second lieutenant.
Liberty township. first district-James HI. Hart, captain; Reese Stephens, first len- tenant ; Cyrns Johnson, second lieutenant. Second district-Tilghman Mckay, captain; A. C. Hiatt, first lieutenant ; J. C. Cohagen, second Hentenant.
Chester township, first district-Benjamin Collett, captain; John Middleton, first
100
CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
lieutenant ; C. H. Van Tress, second lieutenant. Second district-H. C. Colvin, captain; J. Blair, first Heutenant ; M. M. Collett, second lieutenant.
Adams township, first district- J. M. Gorrelle, captain; P. R. Osborn, first lieutenant ; 8. Denney, second lieutenant.
Jefferson township, first district-C. J. Cunningham, captain ; Jobn T. Hammer, first lieutenant ; George Hudson, second lieutenant. Second district-J. D. Hodson, captain; J. T. Jackson, first lieutenant; G. R. Jackson, second lieutenant.
Clark township, first district-Finley Moon, captain; George R. Moon, first leuten- ant : J. P. Langden, Recond lieutenant.
Marion township, first district-C. P. Baldwin, captain : Joseph Garrison. first lieu- tenant : S. G. Clark, second lieutenant. Second district, Henry C. Smith, captain; Andrew J. Hodson, first lieutenant ; J. M. Gustin, second lieutenant.
Vernon township, first district-Eli Hadley, captain ; David Manu, first lieutenant : D. A. Kelly, second lieutenant. Second district-John M. Villars, captain; T. H. Town- send, first lieutenant; E. Cast. second lieutenant.
Washington township, first district-Samuel Briggs, captain : Daniel Stephenson, first lieutenant : Frank Mitchel, second lieutenant. Second district-William Clevenger. captain : Philip Smith, first lieutenant : Clark Brown, second lieutenant.
Wilson township, first district-Ethan A. Spencer, captain; M. P. Early. frst leu- tenant: O. B. Carroll, second lieutenant. Second district-William Pope. captain; I. C. Williams, first lieutenant ; B. Brewer, second lieutenant.
Richland township, first district-H. H. Thorp, captain: Thomas Glass, first lieu- tenant ; John Kenny, second lieutenant. Second district-C. Rhonemus, captain; William Rosa, first lieutenant; Lewis Bigley, second lieutenant.
Wayne township, first district-J. Stout, captain : B. Davis, first lieutenant : J. Run- nels, second lieutenant. Second district-James E. Pidgeon, captain; William H. Strode, first lieutenant; James Babb, second lieutenant.
Green township, first district-Joshua Hussey, captain; Granville Osborn. first lieu- tenant; W. W. Barnes, second lieutenant. Second district-Thomas Elliott, captain : Elijah Mathews, second lieutenant; M. Swingley, second lieutenaut. Third district- William C. Wilson, captain; James V. Raynald, first lieutenant; Newton Shoemaker. second lieutenant.
THE SECOND MORGAN SCABE.
About the time the officers above mentioned were appointed to their respective places (July, 1863), news arrived that the Confederate General Morgan was pushing his way rapidly through Indiana toward Cincinnati on his famous raid. With this news came Governor Tod's proclamation calling out the militia, and on Monday morning. July 13. they gathered, abont one thousand strong, at the county seat ready to be transported to camp. A few companies took cars at Reesville, Sabina and Sligo. One company. under the command of Capt. Ell Hadley, leaving Clarksville on an early morning train, was captured by Morgan before they reached camp and before they received arms. They were hastily paroled. the track torn up and the train thrown. The rebels pushed east- ward through Williamsburg to Georgetown. The remaining companies did not reach. Camp Dennison until Wednesday ; but on Tuesday. while they were waiting transporta- tion, a cavalry troop was hastily organized and sent off southwestwardly on a scouting expedition. But Morgan was soon afterward captured and thrown into prison.
A short time afterward four companies of volunteer militia were organized in the county, and formed by the adjutant-general of the state into a battalion called the Fifty- fifth. On the last day of August. 1863. H. Hankins, of Company A. was elected Heu- tenant-colonel of the battalion. The three militia regiments of the county elected their officers as follows: First regiment-H. S. Doan, colonel ; H. B. Crumly, lieutenant- colonel : Alfred McKay, major. Second regiment-A. F. Deniston. colonel : David Mann,
110
CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
lieutenant-colonel : Owen West, major. Third regiment-E. A. Spencer, colonel ; James Pidgeon. Heutenant-colonel ; ---- Matthews, major.
By the 3rd of March, 1863. Clinton county had a total of one thousand one hundred and eight volunteers in actual service, which included one thousand and thirty in various infantry regiments, thirty-one in the cavalry, and forty-seven miscellaneous-gun-boat service, etc. The different townships of the county were represented in numbers as fol- lows: I'mion. 186: Chester and Adams. 99: Liberty, 00; Vernon. Marion and Jefferson. 217; Clark and Washington, 171; Green and Wayne, 185; Richland and Wilson, 157; total. 1.10%.
On the call of the President for three hundred thousand men In the fall of 1863, the quota of the sixth congressional district of Ohio was 1,624 men, of which Clinton county's shore was 244. apportioned among the townships as follows: Union. 51; Chester, 20; Liberty, 18; Vernon. 18; Jefferson, 14; Clark. 27; Washington. 17: Green. 36; Adams, 14: Wayne. 18: Richland. 21; Wilson. 15. Each new recruit was offered a bounty of three hundred and two dollars and premium, while veterans were entitled to one bun- dred dollars more.
About sixty cords of wood were brought by the farmers of the township to Wilming; ton on Monday, January 11. 1504, and distributed among the families of soldiers living in the place. Abont forty citizens who had no wood to contribute, gave a dollar each and. joined with the farmers in a bountiful feast at Clinton Hall.
In January, 1944. Capt. T. Q. Hidebrant, Capt. J. M. Underwood and Capt. Joshua Hussey were appointed recruiting officers for the county, and. about February 1. Lieut. Joseph J. Wakefield began recruiting a company In the county for the Twenty-seventh Realment of United States Colored Troops. In Its issue of March 18. 1864, the Clinton Republican says that Captain Williamson. of the Seventy-ninth, was in town recruiting sharpshooters for his company.
In the spring of 1464. under calls from the President, aggregating seven hundred thousand men. the total quota of Clinton county was four hundred and eighty-seven. stud. after deducting the credits for veterans and new recruits up to April 2. there yet remained to be raised three hundred and sixty-three. Adams township was the first to fill her quota and was congratulated on the fact by the provost marshal, Governor Brough (who had been elected the previous fall) called Into active service for one hun- dred days the milltis of the state, which had been organized as the Ohio National Guard. under an act passed March 31, 1864, Four hundred and forty-three of the four bun- dred and eighty-six companies in the state responded to the call. Including four from Clinton county constituting the Fifty-fifth Battalion. The Fifty-fifth Battalion was later consolidated with a battalion from Highland county and, together, they formed the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Ohio National Guards. The command left Camp Dennison. May 4, 1864. and proceeded to West Virginia. At Columbus, Ohio, soon afterward, the Clinton county battalion was consolidated with one from Ross county, the twe together being known as the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, eight hundred and fifty strong. commanded by Col. A. E. Brown. They were sent Washington, saw severe service in Virginia, and returned home at the expiration of their term of enlistment.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.